Neck / cervical spine Board decisions

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and unspecified depressive disorder. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The claim will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or continuous symptoms since service. The Board also found that the current cervical spine disability is not related to his service-connected right hand fracture.

The Board denied service connection for lower/middle back, cervical spine, right shoulder, and left shoulder disorders as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI and PTSD is granted. The claims for neck disability, right foot disability, right shoulder disability, left foot disability, and separate rating for depression are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for a low back disability. The claims for service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease and sleep apnea are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to ensure that all his available service personnel records are associated with the claims file and for VA medical opinions addressing the etiology of his cervical spine disorder and low back/lumbar spine disorders.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases and home modifications under the independent living plan through VA’s VR&E program is remanded due to incomplete documentation, lack of a Vocational Rehabilitation evaluation, and unavailability of certain records. The AOJ must ensure all relevant documents are obtained and associate them with the claims file.

Service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's service-connected disc disease of the lumbar spine with hemangiolipoma of the thoracic spine and cervical spine are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and multi-level degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine. The remaining issues on appeal regarding dental compensation and treatment are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorder, including DDD, as secondary to the service-connected mechanical lumbar strain. The rating for mechanical lumbar strain prior to September 17, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and right upper extremity disabilities due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran asserts these conditions are related to an April 1993 motor vehicle accident during active duty.

The Veteran's spouse is in need of aid and attendance due to her medical conditions, including osteoporosis, retinal macular degeneration, and multiple spinal issues. The Board has determined that she requires regular assistance from others to sustain herself and protect her from daily hazards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right ankle disorders, foot disorders, asthma (respiratory disorder), right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of service treatment records and need for a new VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed neck condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and unclear opinions regarding his ankle and cervical spine disorders. The claims will be reviewed again with additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disability and for residuals of spine tumor removal surgery, right trapezius muscle and left trapezius muscle. The Board found that there was no direct or secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for cervical sprain with degenerative changes and degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral sprain and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity L5-S1 radiculopathy have been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but the right shoulder and neck disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine if they are secondary to the now-service-connected lumbar spine disability.